Soccer America's Top 30 Youth Clubs Named

Soccer America announces top 30 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America for 2009
US Youth Soccer continues common thread of America's BestClick here for more information about the top five boys and girls clubs

Now in its sixth installment, Soccer America selected the top 30 boys and girls clubs, based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years and national recognition for players from these clubs in 2008. The list was expanded from 20 to 25 in 2008 and again expanded from 25 to 30 this year.

The most important criteria for determining "America's Best Youth Clubs" was success in the US Youth Soccer National Championships during a three-year cycle (2006-2008), US Youth Soccer National League involvement and the number of players who went on to U.S. Soccer national teams and were selected to US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program All-Star rosters via the annual US Youth Soccer ODP Thanksgiving Interregionals.

"Congratulations to each of the clubs selected as 'America's Best Youth Clubs' by Soccer America," said Larry Monaco, president of US Youth Soccer. "It's wonderful to see that this publication continues to recognize the work of coaches, players and administrators. These clubs are honored for their dedication and efforts to the game. Their recognition provides us with another opportunity to be proud of how clubs, leagues, State Associations and national programs advance soccer to be 'The Game for All Kids'."

"Selecting America's best youth clubs has become very difficult because of the increasing quality we're seeing in all parts of the country and the range of playing opportunities available for players," said Paul Kennedy, Editor in Chief and General Manager of Soccer America. "We have expanded our rankings to 30 clubs in 2009. The most important criteria for our rankings is success in US Youth Soccer National Championships, which have also expanded to include additional top teams with the creation of the US Youth Soccer National League."

Best Boys Clubs

1. Baltimore Casa Mia Bays*

Maryland

2. Dallas Texans*

North Texas

3. Andromeda*

North Texas

4. Arsenal FC*

California South

5. Chicago Magic

Illinois

6. Real So Cal*

California South

7. FC Delco

Eastern Pennsylvania

8. Solar FC*

North Texas

9. Michigan Wolves*

Michigan

10. Schulz Soccer Academy

Florida

11. CASL

North Carolina

12. LAFC

California South

13. Players Development Academy

New Jersey

14. Concorde Elite

Georgia

15. Chicago Fire

Illinois

16. FC Milwaukee

Wisconsin

17. Javanon SC*

Kentucky

18. Real Colorado*

Colorado

19. Carmel United

Indiana

20. West Coast FC

California South

21. Sockers FC

Illinois

22. NJSA 04*

New Jersey

23. Columbus Crew

Ohio

24. Vardar SC

Michigan

25. St. Louis Scott Gallagher

Missouri

26. Blau Weiss Gottschee

New York

27. Bethesda SC

Maryland

28. Colorado Rush

Colorado

29. D.C. United

Virginia

30. Kansas City Wizards

Kansas

Best Girls Clubs

1. Dallas Texans*

North Texas

2. Eclipse Select*

Illinois

3. So Cal Blues*

California South

4. Slammers FC*

California South

5. Sting SC*

North Texas

6. Players Development Academy

New Jersey

7. McLean Premier Soccer*

Virginia

8. Colorado Rush*

Colorado

9. Force FC*

Michigan

10. San Juan SC*

California North

11. Albertson SC

Eastern New York

12. San Diego Surf

California South

13. Carmel United*

Indiana

14. Scorpions SC

Massachusetts

15. Real Colorado*

Colorado

16. Michigan Hawks

Michigan

17. Eagles SC*

California South

18. FC Pennsylvania Strikers

Eastern Pennsylvania

19. FC Stars of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

20. Real So Cal

California South

21. Pleasanton Rage

California North

22. Crossfire Premier

Georgia

23. Irvine SC Strikers

California South

24. Internationals SC

Ohio

25. Challenge SC

South Texas

26. Lonestar SC

South Texas

27. Mustang Soccer

California North

28. Bethesda SC

Maryland

29. Vardar SC

Michigan

30. D'Feeters

North Texas

* US Youth Soccer National Champions at least once from 2005-2008
^ Not a member of US Youth Soccer

Click here for more information about the top five boys and girls clubs.

"We are honored to be recognized as the number one club on Soccer America's list. The United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer offer numerous programs that challenge and provide developmental opportunities for our players. I am very proud of all of our players including those who have recently won national championships and have received national awards. Ultimately, it is all about the development of our players on and off the field. Thank you to all of our players who push themselves to the next level and to our coaches, volunteers and parents who help every day as well as our alumni who put us in position to succeed. Thank you to Soccer America for this great honor. We look forward to our future," said Kevin Healey, president of the Baltimore Bays.

"Once again, it is a great honor for our entire organization including our coaching staff, players and parents to be recognized as the No. 1 club in America, by one of the most prestigious soccer magazines in the country. On behalf of the Dallas Texans, I would like to thank our sponsors and the City of Farmers Branch for providing the opportunity for our players and coaches to excel. We take pride in being considered one of the top clubs in the country over the last several years," said Hassan Nazari, founder and director of club.

"Soccer America's acknowledgement further solidifies US Youth Soccer's position as the leader in providing player development opportunities through programs such as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, US Youth Soccer National League and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer. "The storied National Championships Series is second to none and US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the nation in elite player identification."

US Youth Soccer ODP is known as the premier identification and development program for youth seeking the opportunity to compete at the national, professional and collegiate levels. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and the Women's Professional Soccer, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni.

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, consists of three levels of competition for boys and girls teams in multiple age brackets. Each year over 10,000 teams participate.

The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation's top teams in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 boys and girls age groups. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers top notch competition. The top two teams, from each age group, advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) - US Youth Soccer - The Game for ALL Kids!® is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visitwww.USYouthSoccer.org.

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.

About Soccer America - Founded in 1971, Soccer America is the country's leading national soccer communications company publishing a monthly magazine and 20 e-newsletter editions each week for its members. In 2003, Soccer America was named one of the nation's 50 best magazines by the Chicago Tribune.

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